Reza Nazemi, MD: MIND AND BODY AT WORK

Talk to
neurologist Reza Nazemi, MD for a minute and you
will know why this warm, approachable man is
a hit with his patients. Spend just a few more moments
with him and you are sure to discover Nazemi’s passion
— exercise. Dr. Nazemi’s ardent enthusiasm
for physical activity, combined with his gentle manner, could
charm even the most apathetic exerciser into action.

“I
am a firm believer that many human diseases can be alleviated
or diminished by exercise,” says Dr. Nazemi, Section Chief
of Neurology at Eisenhower Medical Center. “Common problems
such as anxiety, stress, tension headache and high blood
pressure all benefit from moderate exercise.Working out
can help people live longer, happier lives. With predisposed
conditions such as diabetes or hardening of the arteries,
exercise can still minimize long-term complications.”

In addition to being an exercise advocate, Nazemi has
always been fascinated with the brain. “It encompasses so
much. Everything is connected to the brain.”Dr. Nazemi
began studying medicine as soon as he finished high school
in his native Iran. He received his medical degree from Tehran
University and did his neurology residency at Chicago’s
Northwestern University. He completed a fellowship in
neurology and neuromuscular disease at the University of
California at San Diego and is Board Certified in Neurology
and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.

Soon after graduating in 1980, he found a job at Eisenhower Medical Center and proposed to then-girlfriend
Mandy. “We had a simple wedding, but no honeymoon because
we got married June 21, and I had to be at work on July 1.”
When they arrived in Palm Springs, the Nazemis were greeted
by a desolate landscape and desert temperatures of 116 degrees.
It was a stark contrast to their metropolitan Chicago and San
Diego lifestyles.
“I am a firm believer that many human diseases
can be alleviated or diminished by exercise.”

“It
was hard at first, especially for my wife. There wasn’t much
here in the early 80s and she had to endure my schedule,”
Dr. Nazemi recalls. “I was working 12 to 16 hour
days. There was a lot of loneliness, but we managed and took
advantage of our surroundings. Now we are so grateful to live
here and to have brought up our family in this beautiful place.”

The
Nazemis raised their two sons, Navid, now 26, and Cameron,
24, (both avid tennis players and both in law school) amongst
the arid, sun-soaked beauty of the quiet Palm Springs community.
“We have always been a very active family and have always
used sports as a way to bond. When the kids were
young, I really got into running and it became something we
did as a family. On weekends we would do a 5K or 10K
together. It was great fun. We have terrific memories.”

The Nazemis also are ardent travelers. Dr. Nazemi credits his
wife for getting him interested in photography during an early
vacation. “We found that photography was a wonderful way to
cherish our memories and now we take tons of pictures,” he
explains. Dr. Nazemi has become quite an accomplished
photographer over the years, and pictures from their travels are
artfully placed throughout his office.

Devoted to
his family, patients and running (he runs five to seven miles
every other day), Dr. Nazemi encourages anyone who has
never tried exercise to give it a try. “Just try everything until you
find the thing that is right for you. Dancing, walking, swimming —
find a partner to encourage you and support
you. The benefits are so worth it. You’re worth it!”